Once in a while, a vehicle we test-drive is just right for our needs – anticipated or not.
Case in point: The week we were doing some minor interior remodeling, we discovered that some of the lumber ordered was the wrong size. If the contractor took time to fetch the correct materials, a half-day’s work would be lost.
No worries. Sitting in our driveway was the fully-redesigned-for-2015 Ford Edge, Titanium model, with its lengthened wheelbase and flexible interior configuration. With 73.4 cubic feet of cargo space – the best in its class and equal to many of the full-size SUVs – the Edge could handle a large load.
So Genie opted to fetch the new bundle of 7-foot boards herself. To protect the high-quality carpet and leather trim of the Titanium’s luxurious interior, she just laid down a cargo blanket. Problem solved, and the work proceeded without delay.
That was the situation all week. No matter what we needed to do, the Edge – priced at $42,290 with the option package and prep – was perfect. Larger than the Escape but smaller than the Explorer, it’s just right for the needs of a typical family – a true suburban vehicle (our more contemporary definition for SUV).
As transportation for nice evenings out, the stylish exterior and comfortable near-luxury interior would look just fine pulling up in front of a nice restaurant.
For a long family trip, the Edge is equally convenient. Our test car was equipped with an all-purpose option package that included not only all-season heated and cooled front seats, but also a heated steering wheel and rear seats and a panorama vista roof. Seating was comfortable in both the front and back, and all controls are easily accessible. Even with five passengers in the car, there is still nearly 40 cubic feet of cargo space available, more than enough for a week’s vacation gear.
This same option package included a full range of safety and convenience accessories, such as voice-controlled navigation, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, enhanced parking assist and a powered hands-free rear liftgate.
Unlike some of the trendy new crossovers with their high beltlines and low roofs, the Edge excels in all-around visibility, contributing to the feeling of spaciousness in the cabin.
The optional 180-degree front-view camera supplementing the standard-equipment rearview camera adds to visibility around the vehicle, especially in tight parking situations. We were surprised at how quickly we began to rely on the ability to see what was immediately in front of the car below the hood and fender lines.
The only option missing was adaptive cruise control, available for an additional $1,620. If we anticipated a lot of long-distance driving, we would definitely opt for this convenience and safety accessory, which we have come to use and appreciate in other test vehicles.
Road manners
One of the advantages of crossovers like the Edge, and its competitors – including the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, Chevy Equinox, Nissan Murano and Jeep Grand Cherokee – is that they handle more like a car than an off-road-capable sport-brute. They’re more comfortable over bumps and more competent on corners, and we found the Edge to be among the best of its class in its road manners.
Our test car had the basic turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine rated at 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, driving the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel efficiency is rated at 20 mpg city, 30 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined, and the car is rated for towing up to 3,500 pounds.
As is typical in crossovers, the car was programmed for smooth, gradual acceleration to improve passenger comfort and fuel mileage, but we found that there was occasional throttle lag. However, when a quick takeoff was required to merge into heavy freeway traffic, the turbocharger would cut in with a firm push on the throttle pedal and provide the necessary momentum.
For drivers who prefer more power, or expect to negotiate wet, slick and snowy pavements, all-wheel drive and a 280-horsepower naturally aspirated V-6 engine are available at additional cost. Beyond that, the high-end Ford Edge Sport offers a 315-horsepower 2.7-liter turbocharged V-6.
The Ford SYNC with MyFord Touch information and entertainment interface is on its second-generation version, and we found a big improvement over the awkward first-generation system, though it could still be better. A third-generation system is rumored to be in the works, and with further improvements should make this package top-notch.
Overall, we think that the Ford Edge Titanium is not too big, not too small, but overall just right.
Longtime Los Altos residents Gary and Genie Anderson are co-owners of Enthusiast Publications LLC, which edits several car club magazines and contributes articles and columns to automotive magazines and online services.
